Ticket-selling practices put Denver soccer fans in tough spot

Denver area soccer fans are stuck between a rock and a hard place, thanks to TicketHorse. The March 22 World Cup qualifier between the U.S. men’s national team and Costa Rica has been declared “sold out.” What would appear to be proof of Denver’s status as a savvy soccer town is really just evidence of TicketHorse’s inability (or unwillingness?) to stop third-party scalper sites from buying up nearly every seat to resell at 100 percent mark-ups. If soccer fans fail to scoop up these tickets and fill the seats, Denver loses a chance to shine on an international stage. If we pony up the cash, we validate this practice.

Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

Rebecca L. Hannon, Westminster

This letter was published in the Feb. 22 edition.

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So, what you’re saying, Ms. Hannon, is that a private purveyor of goods or services ought to pick and choose to whom it sells its wares? Or that a buyer must pass a litmus test of some sort?

“Sorry, ma’am, but we can’t have people from your side of town purchasing bread today. We’re saving these loaves in case someone from this neighborhood shows up.”

mrfxx

Actually, what she’s saying is that Ticket Horse (the new kid on the block when it comes to ticket sales) has caught up rather quickly to Ticket Master (and before that, “Select a Seat”).

The interesting thing is that if the scalper is in Denver, scalping (defined as selling tickets at a profit – it’s not scalping if a ticket holder cannot attend and merely gets back FACE VALUE for the tickets) is illegal (as witnessed by the folks “busted” selling playoff and World Series tickets AT COORS FIELD in 2007). If they are in the suburbs, it is capitalism at its finest!

If she’s so concerned, she should be working to make it illegal statewide – and not just for soccer!

RLHannon

Or…there was a very long line to buy bread before the bakery even opened. Upon opening, the first person in line bought all of the bread, turned around and offered to sell it to everyone behind him at an inflated price. The people that had waited either pay the inflated price to receive the good or go home without it. Most bakeries would not tolerate this practice, and I wish that TicketHorse did not either. I am not advocating an end to capitalism by any means. I am just disappointed in its manifestations.

peterpi

Ah, but primafacie sees nothing wrong with your bakery example.

Tannerincolorado

Sorry, what is she basing her blanket accusations on? My wife and I got tickets along with 3 other couples. I know of four other couples who got tickets. All of us are excited to attend. And can anyone on this planet name a soldout sporting event where tickets weren’t scalped? … didn’t think so.

GregoryR

Ill save you the cost of the ticket Ms. Hannon. The final will be 2 USA-0 Costa Rica.
How do I know this? Lets just say I have connections in a group more corrupt than than Ticket Horse. It goes by the acronym FIFA 😉

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